Posted on March 27: Program opens doors of opportunity for engineering students

Fifty first- and second-year engineering students will gain experience working with professors and research staff in a research-oriented environment through the 2003 Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).

Students may participate in UROP by applying for positions that professors and research staff post through Engineering Career Services or by creating research proposals for specific professors and research staff.

Students will contribute to research projects in a variety of ways. Some will assist a team of research engineers in the installation, testing and operation of new pieces of semiconductor fabrication and characterization equipment in the Centre for Electrophotonic Materials and Devices; some will work with graduate students to assist with investigation of the behaviour or non-aqueous phase liquids (i.e. oil) in the subsurface (i.e. groundwater) in the Environmental Engineering Laboratory; others will assist in experiments involving novel techniques for preparing nano-crystalline materials in Materials Engineering; and all students will develop the techniques, skills and procedures required to produce quality research.

Last year, dean Mo Elbestawi launched UROP 2002 by saying, “The introduction of UROP demonstrates the Faculty of Engineering's commitment to enhancing its reputation as a student-centered research intensive institution.” The fact that the number of available UROP positions has almost doubled this summer indicates the strength of this commitment.

Anne Markey, is manager Engineering Career Services & Internship